Kamiya commands the Southern European Task Force (Airborne) based in Vicenza, Italy. In July, the Pentagon said the task force would take over for the 25th Division in March.

The Pentagon also recently announced it would keep force levels about the same for a troop rotation scheduled for mid-2005.

The 3rd and 4th brigades and headquarters elements of the 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, N.Y., and the 53rd Infantry Brigade and headquarters elements from the Florida National Guard will be part of the rotation.

Afghanistan held a successful presidential election on Oct. 9 — despite threats from rebels who vowed to disrupt the process — but Olson recently said al-Qaida influence remains. Approximately 5,600 Schofield Barracks soldiers are in Afghanistan.

"I don't think we should underestimate what's left of al-Qaida," Olson said. "... In some instances they may be more dangerous because of their need to launch some kind of high visibility success, which may cause some to revert to desperate acts."

An offensive that departs from the usual lull over the cold winter months recently was started by U.S. forces, and includes re-emphasis on security on the border with Pakistan.

Kamiya, whose father was a member of the famed 100th Battalion in World War II, is part of a general officer corps from Hawai'i that includes retired four-star Gen. Eric Shinseki, a Kaua'i native who rose to become Army chief of staff.